Drink cup lid

ABSTRACT

A drink cup lid is provided for mounting over the open mouth of a beverage container. A rim of the lid preferably includes an outer mounting skirt, a distal end, and a proximal end. The lid also includes a central hub spaced inwardly of the rim and separated therefrom by a lower channel. The channel is generally inclined downwardly from the distal end to the proximal end, except for a drainage wall portion thereof adjacent to the proximal end of the rim. The drainage wall is inclined upwardly from the drink aperture to the proximal end of the rim. The opposing inclinations of the drainage wall and the remainder of the channel cooperate to create a “funnel” effect that improves drainage of spilled beverage from the channel, through the drink aperture, and back into the container.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention is directed to lids for drink containers. Inparticular, the present invention is directed to a lid having improvedsurface drainage.

2. Description of Related Art

Disposable lids for carry-out beverage containers are well known. Thenature of the lid typically varies according to the beverage, with somelids having a perforation for receiving a straw and others having adrink aperture for pouring the beverage directly into a user's mouth.The latter, often called “drink-through” lids, are most often used withhot beverages, such as coffee A typical drink-through lid is describedin U.S. Pat. No. 4,589,569 to Clements, which is hereby incorporatedherein by reference.

When a drink-through container is jostled or the user is careless indrinking, the beverage may spill out of the drink aperture and onto theuser or elsewhere. Such spillage may be referred to as “primaryspillage.” However, it is possible for the spilled beverage to spill orflow back onto the top of the lid, instead of separating or flowingcompletely out from the container. If the beverage is not adequatedrained back into the container, it remains on the lid, and there is therisk that it may spill onto or otherwise unexpectedly contact the user.Such spillage may be referred to as “secondary spillage.” Many advanceshave been made to reduce the incidence of primary spillage, but there isstill the need for improvement with respect to the problem of secondaryspillage.

Accordingly, an object or aspect of the present invention is to providea container lid having improved drainage to prevent the risk ofsecondary spillage

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, a drink cup lid is providedwith a generally annular rim including an outer mounting skirt, a distalend, and a proximal end. The lid also includes a central hub spacedinwardly of the rim and separated therefrom by a lower channel. Thechannel is generally inclined downwardly from the distal end to theproximal end, except for a drainage wall portion thereof adjacent to theproximal end of the rim. The drainage wall separates the proximal end ofthe rim from a drink aperture through a sidewall of the hub and isinclined upwardly from the drink aperture to the proximal end of therim.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a drink cup lid isprovided with a generally annular rim including an outer mounting skirt,a distal end, and a proximal end. The lid also includes a central hubspaced inwardly of the rim and separated therefrom by an inclined lowerchannel. A drainage wall defines a portion of the channel adjacent tothe proximal end of the rim. The drainage wall extends between theproximal end of the rim and a drink aperture through a sidewall of thehub and has a different inclination attitude than the remainder of thechannel

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a lid according to an aspect ofthe present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the lid of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the lid of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a rear elevational view of the lid of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the lid of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view of the lid of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the lid of FIG. 5, taken through theline 7-7 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of a lid according to another aspectof the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of the lid of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a front elevational view of the lid of FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is a rear elevational view of the lid of FIG. 8;

FIG. 12 is a top plan view of the lid of FIG. 8;

FIG. 13 is a bottom plan view of the lid of FIG. 8; and

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the lid of FIG. 12, taken throughthe line 14-14 of FIG. 12.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1-14 illustrate embodiments of a lid 10 according to the presentinvention. The lid 10 includes a generally annular rim 12 having anouter mounting skirt 14, a distal end 16, and a proximal end 18. Theillustrated mounting skirt 14 is of the type typically incorporated intodisposable drink-through lids, and is adapted to be press-fit onto theopen mouth of a cup or container (not illustrated). Alternatively, thelid could be made without the mounting skirt (not illustrated). Thestructure of the mounting skirt may take any form without departing fromthe scope of the present invention, provided that it is suitable forsecuring the lid 10 to a durable or disposable container. The lid 10itself may also be either durable or disposable and manufacturedaccording to known methods with the materials well known in the art forlids.

The distal end 16 of the lid 10 refers to the portion farthest away fromthe user during use, whereas the proximal end 18 refers to the portionof the rim 12 facing the user during use, generally adjacent to a drinkaperture 20. The proximal end 18, or a portion thereof may be shaped toform a pronounced drinking spout or lip 22, for example by extendingvertically to a greater degree than the distal end 16 (FIGS. 1-7).Alternatively, as illustrated in the embodiment of FIGS. 8-14, theproximal end 18 may be substantially identical to the distal end 16,thereby defining a level top for the rim 12. The present invention,however, is not limited to the particular design or shape of the spoutshown in FIGS. 1-7, as other types and sizes of spouts could also beincorporated thereon (or as shown in FIGS. 8-14, no spout or lip).

The lid 10 further includes a central hub 24 spaced inwardly from therim 12, separated therefrom by a lower channel 26. In the illustratedembodiments, the hub 24 is generally cylindrical and the channel 26 isgenerally annular, but virtually any other shape is contemplated by andwithin the scope of the present invention. However, the channel is usedfor drainage, as will be described in greater detail herein, so theillustrated hub 24 and channel 26 may be preferred to provide enhanceddrainage.

The hub 24 is defined by a top wall 28 and a sidewall 30 extendingdownwardly from the perimeter of the top wall 28 to form a generallyclosed inner border of the channel 26. A drink aperture 20 extendsthrough the sidewall 30 in facing relationship with a portion of theproximal end 18 of the rim 12. The sidewall 30 may include an open steamvent 32 (FIGS. 7 and 14), especially if the lid 10 is intended for usewith a hot beverage, to for example, allow steam to escape from thecontainer and gradually lower the temperature of the beverage. In apreferred embodiment, the steam vent 32 is diametrically spaced from thedrink aperture 20, facing the distal end 16 of the rim 12.

The channel 26 is generally inclined or sloped downwardly from thedistal end 16 of the rim 12 to the proximal end 18, as shown in FIGS. 7and 14. The downwardly inclined portion of the channel 26 which isobscured by the hub 24 is shown in broken lines. As shown in FIGS. 7 and14, this portion of the channel 26 may be generally parallel to the topwall 28 of the central hub 24, but the top wall 28 may be substantiallyhorizontal or otherwise non-parallel to the downwardly inclined portionof the channel 26 without departing from the scope of the presentinvention. In one embodiment, the channel 26 has a relatively constantdeclination angle α as shown, for example, in FIG. 7. The declinationangle α need not be constant, but the slope of the channel 26 may vary,for example being relatively steep closer to the distal end 16 of therim 12 and relatively shallow closer to the proximal end 18 of the rim12 (not illustrated).

A arcuate portion of the channel adjacent to the drink aperture 20 isdefined by a drainage wall 34 extending between the drink aperture 20and a lower end of the rim proximal end 18 (FIG. 7) or drinking spout 22(FIG. 14). The drainage wall 34 is preferably angularly centered aboutthe drink aperture 20 and has an arcuate extent ω (FIG. 5), which is theangle or portion of the channel 26 defined by the drainage wall 34. Thearcuate extent ω may vary from relatively large so as to be at leastcoterminous with the drink aperture 20 (FIGS. 6 and 13), to relativelysmall so as to be narrower than the drink aperture 20 (not illustrated).The drainage wall 34 is shown in FIGS. 5 and 12 in solid lines toclarify its position, but typically the transition from the downwardlyinclined portion of the channel 26 to the upwardly inclined drainagewall 34 is more subtle and is not necessarily defined by a visible line.

In the orientation of FIGS. 7 and 14, the drainage wall 34 is inclinedupwardly from left to right, which may be referred to as a positiveinclination attitude, whereas the remainder of the channel 26 isinclined downwardly from left to right, which may be referred to as anegative inclination attitude. Hence, the drainage well 34 and theremainder of the channel 26 have different inclination attitudes, whichconfiguration improves the drainage characteristics of the lid 10, aswill be described in greater detail herein. In one embodiment, thedrainage wall 34 has an inclination angle β (FIG. 7). Preferably, thedrainage wall 34 has a relatively constant inclination angle β. Theinclination angle β need not be constant, but the slope of the drainagewall 34 may vary, for example being relatively shallow immediatelyadjacent to the drink aperture 20 and relatively steep adjacent to theproximal end 18 or drinking spout 22 (not illustrated).

The proximal end 18 of the rim 12 (FIG. 14) or the drinking spout or lip22 (FIG. 7) may have a positive inclination attitude, similar to thedrainage wall 34. In FIGS. 7 and 14, the proximal end 18 or drinkingspout 22 has an inclination angle θ. The inclination angle θ may bedifferent from the drainage wall inclination angle β. Preferably, theproximal end 18 or drinking spout 22 has a relatively constantinclination angle θ. The inclination angle θ need not be constant, butthe slope may vary or the proximal end 18 or drinking spout 22 may besubstantially vertical (not illustrated).

In use, the user grips a container (not illustrated) covered by the lid10, puts his/her lips on or adjacent to the proximal end 18 (or drinkingspout 22 if provided) of the rim 12, and tips the lid 10 and containertowards himself/herself, A beverage in the container pours out of thedrink aperture 20, moves over the drainage wall 34 and the proximal end18 (and drinking spout 22 if provided) and into the user's mouth. Theuser then tips the lid 10 maid container away from himself/herself tohalt the flow of beverage. Much of the liquid positioned at that timebetween the drink aperture 20 and the user's mouth flows back into thedrink aperture 20, but some may remain in the channel 26. Thedifferently inclined portions of the channel 26 and drainage wall 34cooperatively create a “funnel” effect that efficiently directs anddrains all of the beverage through the drink aperture 20 and into thecontainer. It will be appreciated that an inclined channel without adrainage wall may tend to cause beverage to congregate at a portion ofthe lid between the drink aperture and the proximal end of the rim,thereby increasing the risk of secondary spillage.

It will be understood that the embodiments of the present inventionwhich have been described are illustrative of some of the applicationsof the principles of the present invention. Numerous modifications maybe made by those skilled in the art without departing from the truespirit and scope of the invention, including those combinations offeatures that are individually disclosed or claimed herein. For thesereasons, the scope of the invention is not limited to the abovedescription, but is as set forth in the following claims.

1. A drink cup lid comprising: a generally annular rim including anouter mounting skirt, a distal end, and a proximal end; a central hubspaced inwardly from the rim; a lower channel separating the rim and thehub, wherein said channel is generally inclined downwardly from thedistal end to the proximal end; a drink aperture through a sidewall ofthe central hub, in facing relationship with the proximal end of therim; and a drainage wall defining a portion of the channel and inclinedupwardly from the drink aperture to the proximal end of the rim.
 2. Thedrink cup lid of claim 1, wherein said hub is generally cylindrical andsaid channel is generally annular.
 3. The drink cup lid of claim 1,wherein at least a portion of the proximal end of the rim is inclinedinwardly toward the channel.
 4. The drink cup lid of claim 3, whereinsaid proximal end of the rim and said drainage wall have differentinclination angles.
 5. The drink cup lid of claim 4, wherein theinclination angle of the drainage wall is less than the inclinationangle of the proximal end of the rim.
 6. The drink cup lid of claim 1,wherein said drainage wall is angularly centered about the drinkaperture and is at least coterminous with the drink aperture.
 7. Thedrink cup lid of claim 1, wherein said drainage wall is angularlycentered about the drink aperture and is less than coterminous with thedrink aperture.
 8. The drink cup lid of claim 1, wherein the proximalend of the rim extends vertically to a greater degree than the distalend to define a drinking spout.
 9. The drink cup lid of claim 1 furthercomprising a lip on proximal end of said rim.
 10. The drink cup lid ofclaim 1 wherein said lid is a disposable lid.
 11. A drink cup lidcomprising: a generally annular rim including an outer mounting skirt, adistal end, and a proximal end; a central hub spaced inwardly from therim; an inclined lower channel separating the rim and the hub; a drinkaperture through a sidewall of the central hub, in facing relationshipwith the proximal end of the rim; and an inclined drainage wall defininga portion of the channel and extending from the proximal end of the rimto the drink aperture, wherein the drainage wall has a differentinclination attitude than the remainder of the channel.
 12. The drinkcup lid of claim 11, wherein said hub is generally cylindrical and saidchannel is generally annular.
 13. The drink cup lid of claim 11, whereinat least a portion of the proximal end of the rim is inclined inwardlytoward the channel.
 14. The drink cup lid of claim 13, wherein saidproximal end of the rim and said drainage wall have differentinclination angles.
 15. The drink cup lid of claim 14, wherein theinclination angle of the drainage wall is less the inclination angle ofthe proximal end of the rim.
 16. The drink cup lid of claim 11, whereinsaid drainage wall is angularly centered about the drink aperture and isat least coterminous with the drink apertures.
 17. The drink cup lid ofclaim 11, wherein said drainage wall is angularly centered about thedrink aperture and is less than coterminous with the drink aperture. 18.The drink cup lid of claim 11, wherein the proximal end of the rimextends vertically to a greater degree than the distal end to define adrinking spout.
 19. The drink cup lid of claim 11, wherein said lid is adisposable lid.
 20. A drink cup lid comprising: a generally annular rimincluding a distal end, and a proximal end; a central hub spacedinwardly from the rim; a lower channel separating the rim and the hub,wherein said channel is generally inclined downwardly from the distalend to the proximal end; a drink aperture through a sidewall of thecentral hub, in facing relationship with the proximal end of the rim;and a drainage wall defining a portion of the channel and inclinedupwardly from the drink aperture to the proximal end of the rim.